(30 May 2016) – Today, the European Commission has adopted new rules on the creation and functioning of the advisory expert groups which provide external expertise to help inform the policy-making process.
The Decision provides a single set of rules and principles aimed at increasing transparency, avoiding conflicts of interest and ensuring a balanced representation of interests.
Under the new rules, it becomes for example mandatory for Commission departments to select all expert group members through public calls for applications – except those representing Member States, third countries, and EU and international bodies.
The new rules are binding on all Commission departments.